Lisa explained to me how she that is was modelled on the old by Owen J. Lewis embarked upon a grant funded competitions that local dancers exploration of Devonshire step used to dance in. Bob Cann, BEM dancing in 2017, how the melting (1916-1990), who was passionate pot of styles came to be and about the entertainment Devonshire how the tradition is now. Initially traditions of Dartmoor and was I wanted to know how Lisa grew an accomplished melodeon interested in the dance and how and concertina player as well she herself learned to master as stepdancer, started a festival such an intriguing tradition. It all to celebrate these traditions came about when she enrolled – The Dartmoor Folk Festival. in Dartington College of Arts. “I Stepdancing was always included, very quickly got involved with but there weren’t many dancers Step Dancing the Dartington Morris team,” she around to restart the competitions. said, “and this led to visiting some In 1983, Lisa and her partner traditional musicians, one was visited Bob Cann as he wanted Photo: Lisa Sture Pop Hingston on the river Dart, an old concertina he had in the Jack Rice and Bill Cann judging the 1985 South Zeal competition and then Les Rice, Jack Rice and cupboard to be renovated for his George Allen in the Three Crowns young grandson. Whilst talking ne of the most crucial in Chagford. Les was a player, a to Bob about stepdancing, Bob dancer and a singer. Jack played expressed an interest for reviving elements of the a harmonica and danced. And the tradition of stepdancing folk revival is the George, who was a slight man, competitions, but said that there O smoked a big cigar and played weren’t enough dancers to hold sustainability of what you a very big accordion,” she said one. Lisa said she knew dancers have discovered and revived. with a noticeable air of respect. and had been teaching some and If people pick up and enjoy She also went on to explain that could put the word around. That she found the Devonshire was all Bob needed to hear; he what has been revived, were great fun because, “it is said to tell people and he would and in turn share it to an simply great to be with the old organise a competition for the boys, so of course you would next year’s festival. Lisa said that understanding audience, you want to dance.” Lisa raises an Bob thought it was important to have success: that is how interesting point: “Women didn’t teach the children in the area seem to be in bars, where stepdancing and to encourage the revival works. Where men regularly danced, until younger people to have a go. So, Sue Coe dancing on the wagon at South Zeal - Photo: Alan Quick one can see evidence of this maybe the sixties. Men danced the first competition happened aspect of the revival is in the together a lot, one report being in 1984 and competitions in up instead of down and dancers that there was no need to note of a whole room of men dancing Dartmoor have been going are marked for their timing, their them down. It may also have stepdancing tradition, together, but the women were not ever since. Today there are style and the complexity and been that, as it was an improvised high up on Dartmoor in a there.” So it is not surprising that also competitions in Chagford difficulty of the steps.” Lisa added tradition, there was no clear “this it was the older male dancers that and Okehampton and the first that although 15 inches square is how it is done”, and if he asked place called South Zeal. I Lisa found. Women had been competition ever to happen at is small, it was said that good someone to repeat a step, they spoke to researcher and dancing, but more at home and the Devon County Show will be dancers could dance on a dinner may have done it differently. Sharp at meetings like the Women’s in 2020. plate, but she hadn’t found one knew, though, about the sheer joy step dancer Lisa Sture about Institute entertainments. Now it is yet that didn’t break. the dancers feel when they are Devonshire step dancing and shared more evenly amongst the So how does a competition work? up there doing their thing, but he how step dancing in general genders. Now, anyone can dance Lisa told me: “There is a flat back Lisa noted that it is very difficult didn’t annotate any dances. and entertain. farm wagon with a dance board to learn steps just by watching is fairing in the revival of lost on it. The musician sits on the cart someone else dance, and it was As women weren’t allowed or or fading traditions. The term Dartmoor Stepdancing with his back to the dancers. They not a quick process to learn her didn’t venture into the pubs, I has come into use fairly recently dance three times each and the teacher Les Rice’s steps. In fact, was interested to know how they as the dancers that were still musicians must never know who most steps, even when similar, got involved. It turns out that known to dance in the 1980s it is they play for. The tunes used were rarely exactly the same as dancing was everywhere, so they were all from Dartmoor, with some are hornpipes and the first half someone else’s, so although would dance at get-togethers of the Romany Gypsy dancers of the tune is called the setting the tradition looks as though it in private homes, at village hall living just outside of Dartmoor. where the dancer will mark time, is set as it has a set structure entertainments and at fairs and The annual competition at the and in the second half the dancer for competition, the actual steps other such events. Dartmoor Folk Festival, which will show their steps. One’s heart are always individual. From the was the link from the old dancers goes out to the player, reports current information it seems that The Romany Gypsy Travellers to today, is also on Dartmoor. from the past say that some nearly improvisation was part of all the in the area were always an Furthermore, the 2017 project, fell asleep with the repetition, but shoe stepdance traditions, i.e. important part of the tradition and ‘Taking Steps: Discovering & it is crucial all dancers have the not referring to clog-stepping, when there was a competition, Enjoying Dartmoor’s Stepdance same tune. Judging is quite a across England. The famous competed. If today you have Heritage’, was focussed complex matter and has changed collector of traditional music and an evening out with some on engaging the Dartmoor from the old days. Then, one dance, Cecil Sharp, writing in Romany Gypsy dancers, you community and invigorating would start with a number and 1911 said stepdance was, “the will notice they will dance to jigs stepdancing in this area. However, during the dance, points would most popular folk dance at the and waltzes, not just hornpipes, there are newspaper references be deducted for mistakes or lack present time” and “standing and not on a small board. It in the archives that refer to of timing. If you fell off the board proof of the capacity of the village looks like a different tradition, stepdancing in every corner of it was an instant disqualification. dancer to create and execute although there are similarities in Devon, and the old Dartmoor The board I learnt on,” said Lisa, extremely complex and intricate some steps. Lisa said, “One of stepdancers themselves used to “was an 18 inch square board. movements.” However, Cecil the questions is whether it is a call it “Devonshire Stepdancing”. For the Dartmoor Folk Festival Sharp did not ever note any step different tradition, whether the competition, the board is 15 dancing steps down. Some have practice of Devon Step Dancing So how did this competition inches square, making it all just a suggested that it was because it has changed, or whether it was come about? Lisa explained little harder. The score now goes was so popular it was perceived always an improvised dance Albert Crocker on the wagon winning the 1932 Whiddon Down competition with 'Uncle' George Cann playing the concertina Photo courtesy of Julie Scoines The Living Tradition - Page 30 The Living Tradition - Page 31 (albeit influenced by the dancers known across the county. The you watched) just aiming to dance competition to be held at the 2020 Live Music Local out the rhythm of the music. We Devon County Show will certainly don’t know this, and I wonder if it help that. Find The Living Tradition at a venue near you is possible to know it.” There is now a slot in the busy The best way to find out about live music in your area is to go to a local event and ask. A folk club or specialist music shop is often a good Sidmouth Folk Festival where step Bob Cann commented that the starting point for information. The following clubs, venues and shops are among those where you will find copies of The Living Tradition and dancers meet, talk and dance large number of Romany Gypsies, people who will be happy to help. If you want your club, venue or shop listed here please contact us at [email protected]. together, hosted by the Instep horse dealers and horse breeders A full list of folk clubs can be found at www.livingtradition.co.uk/folkclubs. in the area was because there was Research Team (www.insteprt.co.uk). Lisa said that in those meetings a lot of common land, and also An Tobar 108 Queen's Road Davy Lamp Folk Club Irvine Folk Club there are shoe and clog dancers plenty of wild ponies. Bob Cann Washington Arts Centre, Vineburgh Community Centre from all over the country. That Argyll Terrace Brighton, BN1 3XF said that the Gypsy Travellers and Fortnightly on Wednesdays at is an indication of the growing Tobermory, Mull 01273 760022 Tyne & Wear the horse dealers used to gather, 8pm interest in step dancing. It is www.antobar.co.uk Saturdays from 7.30pm they’d get in the pub of a night www.irvinefolkclub.org.uk good to learn our step dancing 27 Lower Bridge Street www.davylampfolkclub.co.uk and they’d start to broomdance traditions are healthy and getting Celtic Chords Canterbury, CT1 2LG and step dance – there was no Linlithgow Sports Club Folksters healthier daily. 8 Barclay Street 01227 769484 Downend Folk Club other entertainment, they used to Linlithgow Sports Club Stonehaven Monthly in various venues around entertain themselves by doing this. How might it continue? Lisa told 20 East Street Boghall, Linlithgow www.celtic-chords.co.uk Downend me that the junior class of the Southampton, SO14 3HG 2nd & 4th Mondays One Romany Gypsy Traveller www.downendfolkclub.co.uk 07914 166285 annual step dance competition 023 8023 1099 family that has lived in the area a Dragon Records at Dartmoor Folk Festival in 2019 Edinburgh Folk Club long time and are well known is was so good that some of the 5 Church Street Penicuik Folk Club Scayles Music Ukrainian Centre, Royal Terrace the Orchard family. Tom Orchard juniors would have done well Shottstown Miners Club, 50 St Patrick Square, is a very fine step dancer and in the senior competition. Both 01296 415333 Wednesdays at 8pm Penicuik has even danced, with his family broom dancing and step dancing Edinburgh www.efc1973.com Tuesdays at 8.00pm accompanying him, at Cecil Sharp can be seen at The Dartmoor Folk Hobgoblin Music Stores 0131 667 8241 www.penicuikfolk.org.uk House. I myself have spent time in Festival, held annually in the pretty www.hobgoblin.com Falkirk Folk Club Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club the Orchard’s company and they Dartmoor village of South Zeal, Mill Race Folk Society The Tolbooth Tavern, The Malthouse, just love anyone who has a go. and the standard year on year is 8 Priory Queensway Cambridge, Ontario, Canada Falkirk Rishworth They are mighty fine company, getting higher. There are also now Birmingham, B4 6BS www.millracefolksociety.com Thursdays at 8.30pm many more entries than in those Last Wednesday of the month and their stepping has been 0121 212 9010 www.falkirkfolkclub.co.uk www.ryburn3step.org.uk indelibly etched into the traditional early days 35 years ago - a clear Another Bloody Folk Club indication of the tradition gaining backdrop. After all, the salient 36 Park Street The Yellow Griffin Pub, The Fleece Inn both interest and strength. Swindon Folk Club point is that step dancing is just , BS1 5JG Toronto , RAFA Club great fun to watch and fun to do. Lisa and Tom - Photo: Ayla Bedri What about the future, will it 0117 929 0902 1st Sunday of month (Oct-June) Evesham Swindon grow, will it remain and what is 416-207-0258 Thursdays & every 3rd Sunday 1st and 3rd Fridays at 8.15pm I asked Lisa to tell me a bit more happening to sure up the walls 13 Eastgate www.thefleeceinn.co.uk www.swindonfolkclub.wordpress.com about step dancing around the was invented and shoes with Around the country there are of the tradition? “As part of the The Bothy Folk Club rest of England. “The other living these soles made a good sound. different stunts written about, Leeds, LS2 7LY project in 2017,” Lisa told me, The Park Golf Club, Folk At The Salmon Bothy Tigerfolk shoe traditions are in the eastern However, then trainers came some of which become seen as 0113 245 3311 “there was a booklet written about Southport The Stumble Inn along, which means that for the traditions. These were usually The Salmon Bothy, area of Norfolk// area what had been learnt about the Long Eaton first time people have to buy created by dancers trying to 24 Rathbone Place Sundays at 8pm Portsoy and along the southern counties tradition, as an accessible start First Sunday of the month from westwards. The special shoes to dance in – it out-compete each other. So, one , W1T 1JA www.bothyfolkclub.co.uk Third Friday of the month at 7pm might hear, “Bet you can’t dance to understanding the tradition www.tigerfolk.com southern tradition doesn’t have takes some of the spontaneity 020 7323 9040 www.salmonbothy.org.uk over a candle” or “I bet you can’t and its history.” Well that has now Cellar Upstairs a competition, and the eastern out of it.” So sadly today on The White Horse Folk Club dance on a board with a pint on happened. The book is out and area has an annual competition, competition day you see people 123 Oxford Road Calthorpe Arms Grimsby Folk Club each corner”. As a consequence, is called, Dartmoor Step Dancing: The Conservative Club, carrying their prized dancing All Saints, Gray's Inn Road, London The Spiders Web but it doesn’t have a set structure there are some creative showing- Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow. Wylies Road, Beverley shoes around and only wear them to dance to like the Devon off competitions written about. It was clearly a successful project Manchester, M1 7DU Saturdays at 8pm Sundays 8pm Mondays at 8.30pm when they are dancing. Tommy competition does, it is completely The common thread through all and has even further highlighted 0161 273 1000 www.cellarupstairs.org.uk www.grimsbyfolkclub.co.uk www.whfolk.co.uk freestyle. These traditions also Orchard uses a pair of tap shoes of them was that, whilst it was how the tradition was almost lost have a good number of Romany which make a mighty sound and serious, it was also for the fun, and its journey to the healthy Travellers dancing in them. There he certainly knows how to use the crack and the laugh. It is quite scene that it is today. is also a tradition in Cromer. them. remarkable that this tradition has There is a wonderful video of the grown and spread at all given so In summary, what I learned is that S Cromer lifeboat crew dancing on In bygone years, as the noise of much of it is ephemeral in nature, step dancing is great fun and can YouTube.” the feet or the percussive rhythm however, when something is fun, be done by anyone who can stand is so important, some judges the word gets out and people up. It was on its knees as the older T M What about footwear for this would sit under the wagon so they want to try it. dancers died out, and Bob Cann sort of dancing? Lisa explains, would just hear the sound of the and Les Rice in particular tried to

I asked Lisa to explain how a pass the tradition on. Luckily, they NEWS, REVIEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE WORLD OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC NEWS, REVIEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE WORLD OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC feet. That is how seriously judges UK £3.25 • EUROPE €5 • USA $7 • CANADA $7 UK £3.25 • EUROPE €5 • USA $7 • CANADA $7 “In earlier years, when people Incorporating

NEWS, REVIEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE WORLD OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC NEWS, REVIEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE WORLD OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC

were successful and Lisa Sture UK £3.25 • EUROPE €5 • USA $7 • CANADA $7 UK £3.25 • EUROPE €5 • USA $7 • CANADA $7 worked in the fields, men wore can take it. tradition works in the true sense, Incorporating

and others have breathed new life ISSUE 107 ISSUE 10 big hob-nail boots. They had a and she said, “It is important that Packed with information, news, reviews and not only the dancers but also the into it and the scene is exciting ISSUE 108 ISSUE 110 horseshoe-like piece of metal I wanted to know about Irish step audience understands what is and looking like it will continue features leading you to the best live and around the heel and large nails dancing as it is probably the most happening on the board. If non- to grow. Folk festivals and village famous style thanks to Riverdance recorded music, clubs, concerts and festivals Frank Lee knocked into the leather sole fetes and shows are all great Tommy Sands dancers gain an understanding The Young'uns Eliza which would make a great noise. and the work of Michael Flatley. I in the UK, Ireland and further afield. Alan Lomax at Tradfest Jimmy and get pleasure watching, the places for a competition. Lisa Luke Daniels' Tribute To William Hannah Bob Fox Carthy When people stopped wearing asked why Irish dancing demands DANÚ Rura  Baltimore Fiddle Fair Crowley Bob Fox  Debra Cowan  Mischa Macpherson Barry Kerr  Shepley Spring Festival tradition will embed. It can create has started a competition at the Keep in touch with the definitive guide to the EDEL FOX Aidan O'Rourke Issue 107 • April/May 2015  The Young'uns Costa Del Folk Issue 109 • August/September 2015 that the arms stay still at all times. The Teacups  Jackie Oates hobnail boots, they wore shoes. Okehampton show, and this year Roy Palmer Issue 108 • June/July 2015  a sense of belonging.” She also Issue 110 • October/November 2015 traditional music scene. Steve Tilston Durham Miners' Gala Back then, the soles would be Lisa said she didn’t know, but raised an interesting point in there will be a competition at the leather with little pieces of metal that in Devon it was considered that whilst the dancing has been Devon County Show, providing tapped into the toe and heel. harder to keep your balance if gaining strength at the Dartmoor a growing and safe future for These bits of metal were known you can move your arms around, Folk Festival, it is now moving on stepping, which really is quite a as segs and blakeys, according so keeping them by your side is and the dancers are working for journey and a true indication of a to their shape. Then hard plastic another indication of skill. it to once more become widely living tradition.

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